Chapter 16: A New Age Is Beginning

A whole week had passed since Arthur and the knights had returned. Elaine had finally settled into motherhood. Arthur was slowly becoming used to his position as Prince Regent. The new knights were enjoying their position and training as knights. The only person who had not changed was Uther. He was slowly becoming more and more ill. Arthur admitted to Elaine that he thought that the King would die soon. Something he did not want. Arthur wasn't ready to become King but he knew that when it happened he would become King to the best of his abilities.

The one other thing that did not progress was Lancelot and Elaine's relationship. They barely spoke as Lancelot was constantly training and Elaine was helping Arthur and also being a mother to Galahad. Elaine had been playing with Galahad one early morning when Arthur visited her chambers. He found her lying on her stomach on the floor with Galahad out of his blanket and laying on a blanket. Arthur smiled at the sight but he did not want to have to break the news to her. "Elaine." Arthur spoke softly and stepped forward. He sat next to her and smiled down at his cousin, who was still small and unsure of his surroundings. "I have to tell you something." He paused for a moment as Elaine sat up. Arthur placed a hand on Galahad's stomach causing him to squirm a little and grab onto Arthur's little finger. "The King died in the night."

"What?" Elaine gasped. "Oh Arthur. I am sorry." She reached her hand out and rested it over his, the one which covered her son's stomach. A tear silently fell down her cheek. "You knew it was going to happen. What Morgana did began to kill him." She wiped away the tear. "He will be missed a lot." She moved forward and hugged her cousin.

"I know." He hugged her back. The two moved apart at the sound of Galahad slowly beginning to cry. "Someone needs attention."

Elaine laughed timidly. "He's jealous that his mother is giving her cousin more attention than Galahad." Elaine reached down and lifted Galahad up into her arms. "Is that right?" Galahad silenced as soon as Elaine held him. "It will be all right Arthur. I know you will be a fair and just King."

"Thank you." Arthur smiled at his cousin as she stood up. Her long lilac dress falling to her ankles. Arthur stood up and followed Elaine to her bed. Elaine still hadn't found a crib for Galahad. Majority of the unused cribs had been destroyed to make firewood. "Elaine. I will never ask you or force you to leave the kingdom, like father had. You are always welcome here. This will always be your home."

Elaine placed a quiet Galahad on her bed. "Thank you Arthur." Standing up straight and smiled down at her son.

"What about you and Lancelot?" Arthur asked curiously. It was now known throughout the kingdom that Lady Elaine and Sir Lancelot had become parents outside of marriage. The majority of the Kingdom gossiped about the illegitimate child and were disgusted of the Princess for being so loose but they were too afraid to say admit it to anybody except their families. The minority of the Kingdom did not mind. They were glad that the Royal family were safe and a new addition to the family was always a joy and a blessing.

"We haven't spoken much but we have decided to talk tonight after dinner. We want to discuss the importance of Galahad's future and I think that includes our situation." Elaine spoke gently with a small smile as she looked down at Galahad.

"Do you love him?" Arthur asked curiously.

"I don't know. I think so." Elaine said as she bit her lower lip and turned to face Arthur. "I think I love him." A blush brushed across her cheeks.

"If he feels the same way, I congratulate you, cousin. Do not worry if he does not love you back. You will find someone who you will love and he will love you with all his heart." Arthur hugged her tightly.

"Thank you Arthur." Hugging him back with the same amount of unconditional love. "Would you like me to help you organise the King's funeral?"

"Not yet. I am going to announce it to the people first." He sighed heavily. "I thought it best to tell you first." Stepping back from her. "I may not need your help but I will take up the offer if I do." He smiled and chuckled feebly.

"Of course." She smiled and hugged him again. "I'm here for you." Arthur nodded to her and silently left her chambers. "Well, my son. You did not have to meet my cruel uncle." She lay next to him and placed her finger in his podgy hand, which his fingers wrapped around his mother's slender finger. "But I shall miss him dearly. I know only have you and Arthur. What a small and dysfunctional family we are." She smiled as Galahad continued to stare at her. A small knock came on her door not long after Arthur left. "Come in."

Lancelot entered her room and bowed to her. "Good afternoon." He smiled as he moved further into the room. "Before we talk. Myself and the knights have a present for you." His smiled grew bigger. "Well, for Galahad. Bring it in Percival."

Elaine left Galahad on her bed and moved forward as Percival brought in a baby crib. "Oh!" She gasped at the beauty of the wooden crib. "It is beautiful." She moved forward to inspect it closer. She admired the hanging mobile and the beauty of the carvings in the wood. Her fingers trailed along the wood. "Who made it?" Looking up at both of them.

"I did." Percival spoke in his deep baritone voice. "My family were carpenters." He smiled at her. "I shall leave you to let your son get settled." Percival bowed to her.

"Thank you Percival. Thank you so much." Elaine smiled broadly as she continued to admire the creation. Percival silently left them alone. "I love it." she laughed softly and turned to walk in the direction of her bed. Lancelot remained where he was and watched her as she returned with their son.

Lancelot continued to smile as Elaine placed their son in the crib. He stood next to Elaine and wrapped an arm around her shoulder when she stood up straight. "I think he likes it." Lancelot spoke quietly as Galahad fell asleep. Elaine nodded silently and leaned her head against Lancelot's shoulder. "Are you ready to talk?"

"Yes." She spoke quietly and raised her head.

Lancelot clasped her hand and led her to the two chairs by the window. He escorted her to one of them and then sat in the other one, which was opposite her. "I wish to be a part of Galahad's life." He stopped for a moment. "I want to be a part of your life." Elaine gave a gasp when he said that. "There is something about you, Elaine. I cannot put my finger on it but you are beautiful, gentle and kind." His eyes trained on the floor but he finally raised them and looked at her face. He noticed that she was smiling but also crying. He stood up and knelt in front of her. "You're crying." He had a handkerchief in his hand and held it up to her.

Elaine laughed softly and took the handkerchief from him and dabbed her eyes dry. "I never thought I'd hear those words from you." She left the chair and knelt in front of him. "Do you truly mean it?"

"I do." He cupped her cheek with his large hand and smiled. "Once everything is settled, I will ask the King if I can court you properly." Elaine's smile dropped. "What is it?"

"The King died last night." There were new tears. Not tears of joy like they had been before but tears of mourning. "Arthur told me before you entered my chambers." She bent her head and covered her mouth as she cried.

Lancelot immediately moved next to her and wrapped his arms around her. "I am sorry to hear." He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly in his arms. "I am here for you." After a while they both stood up and lay on Elaine's bed, talking about what the future could hold for them. They stayed like that for a few hours until their son woke from his deep slumber.

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In another part of the castle, another couple were working through their grief. After telling Elaine about the death of the King, Arthur sought out Gwen. He found her in Morgana's old chambers, trying to put it into order. He didn't need to say anything but he fell to his knees and she immediately rushed forward, knelt in front of him and held him tightly. "I know you will be a brilliant King. Your father taught you well and he will be watching you from Heaven and he will be so proud of you."

"I need him, Gwen." He cried. She had never seen a grown man cry and seeing the man she loved cry, unnerved her and upset her. "I can't do this. I can't be King."

"You can!" Gwen spoke with her heart. "I know you can." She held him tightly as he continued to cry on her shoulder.

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Elsewhere, a recovering and angry Morgause paced her hiding place. "We need to break them." She growled as Morgana sat silently in Cenred's throne. "You should be on that throne. Not some boy."

"Give it time, sister. Arthur will not last long on the throne. He is inexperienced and has no one at his side. I have you and he has no one." Morgana stood up and stopped her sister. "You need to rest. Once you are fully recovered, we shall begin to bring about Arthur's death."

Morgause sighed heavily and nodded. "Fine. We will end this and you will take your place on the throne." She watched as her sister walked away from her and disappeared from the Great Hall. In her mind, she thought of Arthur's weaknesses. But all of Arthur's weaknesses were safe inside the citadel. Uther, Elaine, Gwen and the Knights. The townspeople were also Arthur's weakness as he would protect them at any cost. She sighed heavily as she thought about what she could do. It would come to her sooner or later.

A/N: Sorry for it being so short. Have no idea what to write for this chapter. Also please vote for who you think Elaine should finally end up with. The vote is on my profile.

Responses from Chapter 15:

ForeverTeamEdward13: You'll have to wait and see if Lancelot still likes Gwen. ;)

Lara Smith: Ahhhh my dear! I love your reviews! They give me so many ideas and I love reading them! :D I'm going to be adding a lot more ARWEN scenes in, I promise! :D They will behave before their wedding, I guarantee it. Well, the Uther problem has been solved. As for Elaine's Kingdom, it will come back into the picture but not for a while. I wanted Lancelot to get into fatherhood quickly as he lost his family at a young age so as soon as he has family, he gets attached to them. I think I've made Gwen jealous as she liked Lancelot before Arthur in the series so I had to add a little jealousy in there.

Strawberry shortcake: More ARWEN scenes for you coming soon! I might even dedicate a whole chapter to ARWEN! :D Ragnelle isn't going to make an appearance as I think her character will be hard to right. As for the villains, you will have to wait and see. Especially for Mordred. :D

TwiCloiser89: I'm glad you enjoy reading it! :D